U.S. F-22 Raptors Withdraw from Middle East Amid Renewed Iran Hostilities
Ten U.S. F-22 Raptors deployed to Israel since late February for strikes on Iran arrived at RAF Fairford, UK, on July 10, 2026, as part of a broader U.S. airpower retrograde from the CENTCOM region. The jets flew over 200 undetected combat sorties against Iranian air defenses, nuclear sites, and IRGC targets. The withdrawal follows renewed hostilities after Iran attacked tanker ships in the Strait of Hormuz, collapsing an April 8 ceasefire. Qatari negotiators are pursuing peace talks, while the U.S. maintains a strategy of controlled escalation.
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F-22s Become Latest USAF Combat Aircraft to Leave Middle East Despite Iran Tensions
F-22 Raptors stationed in the Middle East arrived at RAF Fairford, England on July 10, becoming the latest U.S. warplanes to leave the region amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Around 10 F-22s from Joint Base Langley Eustis, Virginia, were tracked arriving in the UK. Earlier in July, F-15E Strike Eagles and B-52 Stratofortress bombers also departed, while B-1 Lancers remain at Fairford. The withdrawals come as the Trump administration shifts policy toward Iran following Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign that began in February. A naval blockade on Iranian oil was imposed in April, and a memorandum of understanding was signed in June to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, minor hostilities continue, and Trump declared the ceasefire 'over' on July 10, though aides say the U.S. remains open to a resolution. The White House appears to have little interest in resuming large-scale operations for now.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-22s Become Latest USAF Combat Aircraft to Leave Middle East Despite Iran Tensions
A squadron of approximately 10 F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing departed the Middle East and arrived at RAF Fairford, England on July 10, 2026, becoming the latest U.S. combat aircraft to leave the region amid ongoing hostilities with Iran. The withdrawal follows the departure of F-15E Strike Eagles, B-52 Stratofortress bombers, and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs in recent weeks. These aircraft had been involved in combat operations under Operation Epic Fury, which included intensive airstrikes on Iranian military targets starting in February and a subsequent naval blockade. A mid-June memorandum of understanding temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz, but minor hostilities continued, and President Trump declared the tenuous ceasefire 'over' on July 10. Despite this, U.S. officials stated they remain open to a resolution, and the White House appears to have little interest in resuming large-scale operations for now.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-22s Become Latest USAF Combat Aircraft to Leave Middle East Despite Iran Tensions
A squadron of approximately 10 F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing departed the Middle East and arrived at RAF Fairford, England on July 10, 2026, becoming the latest U.S. combat aircraft to leave the region amid ongoing hostilities with Iran. The withdrawal follows the departure of F-15E Strike Eagles, B-52 Stratofortress bombers, and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs in recent weeks. These aircraft had been involved in combat operations under Operation Epic Fury, which included intensive airstrikes on Iran in February and a subsequent naval blockade. A June memorandum of understanding briefly reopened the Strait of Hormuz, but minor hostilities resumed after Iran attacked tankers near Oman, prompting U.S. retaliatory strikes. President Trump declared the ceasefire 'over' on July 10, though U.S. officials remain open to negotiations. A sizable U.S. air and naval presence remains in the region.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-22 Raptors Arrive in England After Deployment to Israel for Iran War
Ten U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing arrived at RAF Fairford, UK, from Ovda Air Base in Israel on Friday. The jets had been deployed since late February to participate in attacks on Iran, including precision missions against Iranian air defenses, nuclear-related infrastructure, and IRGC command nodes. The F-22s flew over 200 combat sorties between March 1 and 9, remaining undetected by Iranian radar. Their arrival is part of a broader retrograde of U.S. airpower from the CENTCOM region, coinciding with renewed hostilities after Iran attacked three tanker ships in the Strait of Hormuz and the collapse of an April 8 ceasefire. Qatari negotiators have traveled to Iran to pursue renewed peace talks, while the U.S. pursues a strategy of controlled escalation to degrade Iran's capabilities.
TWZF-22 Raptors Arrive in England After Deployment to Israel for Iran War
Ten U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing arrived at RAF Fairford, UK, from Ovda Air Base in Israel, following a deployment since late February for attacks on Iran. The jets participated in precision missions against Iranian air defenses, nuclear infrastructure, and IRGC command nodes, flying over 200 combat sorties undetected. The movement is part of a broader retrograde of U.S. airpower from the CENTCOM region amid renewed hostilities. Tensions escalated after Iran attacked three tanker ships in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to U.S. strikes and the collapse of an April 8 ceasefire. Iran also struck targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Diplomatic efforts continue, with Qatari negotiators traveling to Iran. A former CENTCOM commander described the strategy as controlled escalation to degrade Iran's ability to disrupt Gulf activities.
TWZF-22 Raptors Arrive in England After Deployment to Israel for Iran War
Ten U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing arrived at RAF Fairford, UK, from Ovda Air Base in Israel on Friday. The jets had been deployed since late February to participate in attacks on Iran, including precision missions against Iranian air defenses, nuclear infrastructure, and IRGC command nodes. The movement is part of a broader retrograde of U.S. airpower from the CENTCOM region, coinciding with renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. The ceasefire agreed on April 8 was declared over after Iran attacked three tanker ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also struck targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Despite the escalation, Qatari negotiators, in coordination with the U.S., have traveled to Iran to pursue peace negotiations. The F-22s flew over 200 combat sorties undetected by Iranian radar during the campaign, using GBU-39/B and GBU-32 munitions against hardened targets.
TWZ